My Gaming Setup - Let Me Know Your Opinions Experts!

[bclayton1707]

Hey guys,
This is my gaming rig that I want to build. It is the first one in a while so I would appreciate your feedback and helpful comments on what you see. I also have a couple questions too.

The Computer
___________________________

Case
Antec Nine Hundred
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021&Tpk=Antec 900

Power Supply
Antec NeoPower 550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103941

Motherboard
ASUS P5Q-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131296

Video Card
ASUS EAH4850 TOP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115132

CPU Cooling
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
XIGMATEK ACK-I7751 Retention Bracket
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233019
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Memory
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (2 of them: 8gb total)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

HardDrive
WD6400AAKS 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

Keyboard/Mouse
Logitech MX 3200 Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126007

Monitor
ASUS VW222U Black 22"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236028

Drives
LG Black 6X Blu-ray DVD-ROM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136154
HP DVD Burner 20X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827140031

OS
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Alright, that is it. The power supply should be sufficient for now, until I later go to Crossfire right? And what do you think about 64bit Vista, are there any downsides compared to 32bit Vista?
I want info from all you experts! Thanks!

 

[dokk2]

unless you really need vista,stay away from it,microshaft is getting ready to dump it for windoze 7 ,also check with the asus site to be certain that the mobo you are considering supports your chosen ram..550 w psu is good but,,if you can get 600w for the same price ,maybe consider it....

 

[zero3one]

I would take Vista over XP any day. But dokk2 is right, Windows 7 is due next year.

Unless you plan on OCing, you can make due with the stock HS and fan for the CPU.

Why the two optical drives? Do you really need both? Unless you plan on watching Blu-ray movies on your computer I'd do away with that and wait for the prices to drop. Also consider that there is really nothing on Blu-ray other than movies anyways.

 

[kamel5547]

There is no real reason to stay away from vista other than an inherent bias. x64 is another story... as long as you are willing to deal with things not working I'd go with it. (example: some peripherals, some games, etc) The issue is relatively minor, but it can be annoying at times, but anything relatively new and well coded should work (i.e. every new game I've tried except Bully: Scholarship Edition, as well as all the old ones with some playing around with compatibility mode)

 

[bclayton1707]

Yeah I will be overclocking so I want to extra special cpu cooling. I see what you mean with x64, I think everything is heading in that direction right? I could probably deal with a few driver issues to make the leap. Does the leap mean better performance, graphics, etc in games compared to x32?

 

[arson94]

I love my Antec Nine Hundred, good choice there.

I'd get get the 4850 1GB or 4870 1GB, the extra RAM comes in handy more often than not now.

I also think the Blu-ray drive might be useless, do you really plan on watching Blu-ray movies on your 22" monitor?

You power supply is probably sufficient in watts, but make sure it has all of the power connectors you need for your motherboard and video card.

I've never used Vista, so I can't comment on that, but is 8GB of RAM overkill?

I also agree that the CPU cooler is a waste of money unless you plan to overclock, you could put the extra money into a faster CPU if you're not overclocking.

I don't mean to be so critical, just want to mention these things in case they haven't crossed your mind before. Good Luck!

 

[arson94]

Oh, you responded while I was typing. You're overclocking. So, the Xigmatek will probably suit you well. It's definitely worth $32.

 

[zero3one]

I run Vista Ultimate 64 with 8gb of ram. Yeah 8gb might be overkill but hey, it runs sooooo sweet. Honestly, the 64bit version of Vista is awesome. I haven't had any issues with it. Everything runs fine for me on it.

 

[geofelt]

A very good list.

Vista 64 is very good, don't believe the FUD.
For an amusing insight to vista , google "mojave experiment"

I might look at getting a 24" monitor. It is the one true "future proof" purchase you can make.
You will be looking at it for years to come.
The Antec 300 is also a very good case if you need to save a bit.

 

[the last resort]

Maybe get another smaller hard drive for OS. Could improve performance dramatically.

 

[jnlc]

U need vista home premium 64 bit to use the 4 gigs of ram